Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. 5 x Parimatch Bet £10 bet tokens. Full T&Cs apply Gambleaware.org.
While Blueking D'Oroux represents the Paul Nicholls stable (which dominates this race), Wendigo’s ability to handle heavy going gives him the edge. WENDIGO comes here following as discussed in this insightful piece a gutsy win in the John Francome at Newbury. Timeform notes he is "soon clear" when he gets going and, despite a rise in the weights, he is tipped to stretch his unbeaten chase record to 3-3.
Another Henderson-trained horse, Sir Gino won at Kempton in the Novices' Chase in 2024 and the Juvenile Hurdle the year before that, but has been out of action since this time last year after suffering a life-threatening infection. The Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle is the second of three Grade 1 races run at Kempton Park on Friday, with this particular contest having been dominated by Constitution Hill for the last three years. Nicky Henderson’s Arkle winner is the youngest horse in the field and remains unproven at this distance, but has a similar profile to former King George winners Might Bite and Long Run and is well-respected. In 2025, both last year’s winner and runner-up are part of the eight-horse field, with Banbridge having ran down Il Est Francais to claim the crown in 2024. The highlight of the Christmas racing calendar was first held in 1937 and is now staged over three miles, including 18 fences, with notable previous winners including Kauto Star, Frodon, Best Mate and Desert Orchid.
She had her first run since last month at Punchestown and while only eighth shaped better than the result. She caught the eye over a stiff two miles at Navan last March before finding a steadily run race at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting against her. I am inclined to forgive his last run at Limerick where he raced wide on testing ground with this likely the target race. Better ground should suit and the selection has lots of ability from the flat, rated 101 after just four runs and likely had more to give in that sphere. He was an impressive winner at Navan on his first start for Elliott, travelling and jumping well, while the runner-up (re-opposes here) and the fifth have won since. He was beaten a long way on debut last time but did travel well and many of the Gordon Elliott debutantes have been improving a lot for a run.
- Leicester have won nine of their last 12 matches against Watford, including winning seven of their last eight at home against the Hertfordshire outfit.
- Anthony Gordon is always one to keep an eye on here, especially for his ability to win fouls as he showed against Chelsea when he was fouled three times by the Londoners.
- Eligibility & payment exclusions apply.
- See all the best free bets and betting offers available in the UK over at our dedicated page
45 – Limited Handicap Chase
Anthony Gordon is always one to keep an eye on here, especially for his ability to win fouls as he showed against Chelsea when he was fouled three times by the Londoners. Sporting Life is the complete sports fan's destination, offering in-depth editorial content, unrivalled sports data and insights, and informed betting tips – all under one roof. Run over three miles at Kempton and live on both Racing TV and ITV, it is a race won a record five times by Kauto Star and four times by Desert Orchid. Timeform describes him as "capable of better still" following a 9-length demolition of Gidleigh Park at Ascot.
Free bets for the King George VI Chase
The loss of form has seen the Lions drop down into sixth place heading into Christmas, but are only two points behind their Boxing Day opponents ahead of their meeting on Friday, though equally are just three points ahead of 10th placed Watford. Millwall have been one of the surprise packages in the Championship this year, with three consecutive wins taking them into third place in the second tier table less than a fortnight ago. Kieran McKenna's side started the new campaign following relegation to the Championship as pre-season favourites to win the title but stuttered through the first months of the season, though have seemingly found their groove ahead of the festive period. Two of the top six teams in the Championship go head to head on Boxing Day lunchtime as Millwall take on Ipswich at the Den.
There are no fewer than eight race meetings in the UK on Boxing Day, but there’s little doubt that the pick of the bunch is the opening day of the Ladbrokes Christmas Festive at Kempton Park. Rewards expire in 20 days. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing.
Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. You can stay in control by making use of the responsible gambling tools offered, such as deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs. However, bettors seem to think the horse will return to form right away, with official ratings and an unbeaten record providing plenty of promise.
King George VI Chase tip: Gaelic Warrior to triumph in headline event
Even the most knowledgeable racing punter can lose a bet, so always stick to a budget and never chase your losses. It’s vital that bettors take steps to remain in control of their time and budget when using gambling sites. The offer applies to your first win or win part of an each-way bet only and any free bets are credited within 24 hours. Fact To File reopposes here and is a Grade 1 winner over three miles, so can’t be overlooked, while the Harry Redknapp-owned The Jukebox Man will have his supporters on betting apps as a C&D winner at Kempton. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit.
The Tractor Boys were in the bottom half of the table in late October, but have since lost just two of their last 12 matches, winning eight, to lift them firmly back into the automatic promotion picture. Weak in the betting and held up, she made a decent move into contention before flattening out and that run should leave her spot on for this. He has an excellent record at the meeting and was better than his fourth placed finish in this race last year when coming home well off a steady pace. Westport Cove looks a little overpriced having shown something new last time, battling well while handing a testing surface, and the return to better ground here should help.
Irish racing tips: Tony Keenan best bets for Boxing Day
Find more predictions and betting tips from our expert punters in our match previews on the Premier League, Championship, League One and more! Jaden Philogene's goal in Saturday's win over Sheffield Wednesday was his eighth of the campaign, meaning the Ipswich winger has scored more goals this season than any other player on either team ahead of Friday's Boxing Day clash. Ipswich won 4-0 the last time the two sides met at the Den a couple of years ago, and should just nick a win in the capital on Boxing Day against a side who appear to have hit a tricky patch in their form, I'm predicting a 2-1 away win. The Suffolk side have lost just one of their last five matches, but that defeat did come in their most recent away game, as they fell to a 3-1 loss against fellow-relegated Leicester, meaning they're now winless in their last three games on the road.
There is no shortage of maiden hurdles today with six of them across the three tracks, though most are more watching races. Over time, Boxing Day also became a day when people exchange gifts they did not like or that did not fit during Christmas, similar to a second day of festivities. The expectation is that the tradition of multiple matches on this day will return next season, when Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, without contractual restrictions. Since Boxing Day 2025 falls on a Friday, it is automatically classified as a weekend round, limiting the number of matches. According to broadcast contracts, 33 of the 38 rounds of the competition must be held on weekends, which means that only one match can take place on Fridays to give more prominence to Saturdays and Sundays.